Rams Basketball Update: Jan. 22-Jan. 31, 2021

Photo by Ashtin Wade:
Sophmore Salisu Yahaya meets the opposing player on the tip off. The ASU Rams basketball team continue their season this week with a game on the road and another at home respectively.

ASU Men’s Basketball on Feb 3 prepare to play 5th ranked West Texas A&M on Thursday and Saturday this week after winning.

The Rams traveled to Bill Greehey Arena in San Antonio to take on conference foe St. Mary’s Rattlers on Friday, Jan. 22 and Saturday, Jan. 23.

The series would be split, as the Rams lost game one 69-68 to the Rattlers but won game two, winning 67-60.

In Friday night's contest, the Rams shot 47.1% from behind the arc led by junior Devaughn Thomas with 21 points, eight rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block. Junior Sam Baker and senior Paul Williams played a big role scoring 16 and 15 points respectively. Baker grabbed four boards and dished an assist while Williams had four assists and a rebound.

In game two of the weekend double-header, it was almost a complete turnaround from game one. ASU shot a season low of 23.8% from the behind the arc but still shot almost 45% from the field.

Williams led the offense with 20 points, dished six assists, grabbed five boards and nabbed a steal from the Rattlers. Baker was second on the team with 12 points, as he grabbed four rebounds and had an assist. Sophomore Andre Nunley came off the Rams bench and scored 10 points of his own, collected four rebounds, three assists and two steals as ASU took care of their blue and gold counterpart.

On Sunday, Jan. 31, ASU hosted the St. Edward’s Hilltoppers in a non-conference setting. An intense game from start to finish ended with the Rams upsetting the then 17th ranked Hilltoppers 68-65 thanks to a Kevon Godwin three point shot with 12 seconds left to play.

The junior guard would end the game with 9 points and a rebound. In what was a full team effort where almost every player who came into the game scored for the Rams, Williams led with 19 points, and dished five assists, grabbed three rebounds and collected two steals. Thomas, Nunley, Baker and senior Burone Edwards would be contributors in the game as they scored a combined 33 points in the win.

The Rams look to continue their success as they prepare to play the 5th ranked West Texas A&M Buffaloes on Thursday, Feb. 4 in Canyon and Saturday, Feb. 6 in San Angelo.